House Republicans appeared willing to consider Gov. Tim Walz's $35 million SAFE Account proposal, until Democrats added statewide requirements for police officers responding to protests.
Created: February 04, 2021 04:17 PM
State lawmakers voiced strong support for reforming Minnesota s civil forfeiture laws on Thursday, as members of the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee voted, 14-1, in favor of a bill that would greatly restrict when police can take the property of those suspected, but not convicted, of certain crimes.
The bill s author Rep. Kelly Moller, DFL-Shoreview, called it a compromise, noting that civil forfeiture reform has been the subject of debate at the Capitol for years. Now is the time for us to enact these important reforms, Moller said.
Moller s bill would restrict when police agencies can forfeit the vehicles of those suspected of crimes such as drunk driving. It would also stop officers from seizing cash less than $1,500 during most drug arrests.
Falsified records
In at least three cases, records show guards falsified logs to show they made checks that never happened.
In two other deaths, KARE 11 discovered there’s no record the state ever completed the legally mandated review.
A month after Powell died, the DOC sanctioned Hennepin County after the state agency completed its biennial inspection of the jail and found repeated failures to follow state law and properly supervise the inmates in its care.
‘No excuse’
Well-being checks are one of the most important safeguards a jail can take to prevent inmate harm, said Bill Hutton, Executive Director of the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association.
The State Aid for Emergencies (SAFE) Account would provide public safety cost-share assistance to local governments during an unplanned or extraordinary public safety event, Walz said .
Walz seeks money for civil unrest response
As Derek Chauvin s trial date approaches, Gov. Walz touts plan to help cities pay for the security and riot responses. But the Capitol Republicans aren t biting. Author: John Croman Updated: 2:02 AM CST February 4, 2021
ST PAUL, Minn With an eye toward the upcoming murder trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, Governor Tim Walz is calling on lawmakers to set up a special fund to help local cities pay for the cost of responding to civil unrest and other major events that require a multi-agency response.
At the same time Gov. Walz and DPS Commissioner John Harrington brief the media Wednesday, Capitol Republicans were also pushing back against the plan because it could potentially ease the financial burdens of the City of Minneapolis.